Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – For Cesar Nuñez, his love for the medical field started the day he witnessed and helped at the scene of a motorcycle accident.
Now, the Texas Southmost College alumnus has created a career of helping others because of the training he received in the college’s Emergency Medical Science program.
“I have a paramedic dad and family within the medical field, so I grew up around the environment,” said the 24-year-old paramedic. “But I never considered it as a career until that motorcycle accident sealed the deal. Being the one to help before paramedics got there felt great. And I haven’t looked back since.”
The Brownsville native graduated with an associate degree in 2016 from TSC’s EMS program and immediately began his career as a paramedic with Acadia Ambulance Company in Bastrop, where he has been for more than three years now.
“I started my career straight out of college, which is an amazing achievement and dream come true,” said Nuñez. “I owe all of it to TSC.”
Nuñez said he never imagined receiving the type of training he did at TSC. It gave him confidence and provided him the knowledge and training he needed to pursue a successful career as a paramedic.
“It was the innovative technology that the program brings to the table such as simulation models, equipment and video technology that prepared me for life in the field,” he said. “And I can’t forget about our instructors, who brought years of experience with them, never left our questions unanswered and pushed us to be better.”
Although Nuñez was ready for the demands of the field, he never imagined putting his skills to use during a global pandemic.
“COVID-19 has brought a lot of challenges for us,” he said. “We’ve put our critical care skills to great use, learning new techniques and taking extra precautions. It’s concerning to watch, but the foundation I received at TSC has allowed me to stand solid in my treatments and provide better care for my patients.”
Nuñez also said that not even this pandemic has changed his mind about his career choice.
“I still love what I do, COVID crisis and all,” said Nuñez. “Nothing can change that.”
In fact, since graduating, Nuñez has pursued other certifications such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and he plans on working toward becoming a flight paramedic.
In the near future, he plans to continue his education to become a registered nurse and certified registered nurse anesthetist.
“TSC showed me how to be a student, how to set goals and how to keep investing in my education,” said Nuñez. “I learned to love school because of this college and its EMS program. It has set my foundation for the career and life I want, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
TSC’s EMS program prepares students to become highly skilled and trained paramedics.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, EMS is one of the fastest growing fields in the nation. The demand for paramedics is projected to increase 7% through 2028, faster than all other occupations, with an estimated 18,000 positions that will need to be filled.
For more information about TSC’s Emergency Medical Sciences program, visit tsc.edu.
About Texas Southmost College
Originally established in 1926, Texas Southmost College currently offers the first two years toward a bachelor’s degree, along with career and technical education leading to certificates and associate degrees, college preparatory studies to prepare students for college-level work, workforce training, and continuing education. TSC offers 50 programs of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.
